Author Archive: Admin

Wales Nov 2024

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WALES REGION

Regional Contact member – Alison Ross

Following on from the Wales hosted AGM in April, it has been a busy year in Wales but firstly, I would like to welcome new member Miss Jodie Thomas who is based in Carmarthenshire.

We are lucky to have so many small shows that have dedicated Jacob classes. Please continue to support these shows, I will endeavour to make sure that they are advertised on the website so let me know if there are any missing when I put up the list for 2025. The Brecon show has put in a request to see Jacob sheep entered next year, I will try and get there and it would be lovely to have some company. The show will be held on Saturday 2nd August.

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Alison Ross with her champion ewe lamb and Angharad Griffiths with her reserve champion ram at Sennybridge Show with the judge, Rhodri Jones

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show is possibly the highlight of showing in Wales and this year didn’t disappoint with some beautiful, quality Jacobs vying for top prizes. Congratulations to the Trumper Family for winning supreme champion with their stunning shearling ram and to the Harries family with their beautiful ewe lamb which took reserve championship. Full results can be seen in the show results at the back of the Journal.

The Wales show and sale was held at J.Straker, Chadwick and Sons, Monmouthshire, on 21st September. Many thanks to Lyndon Trumper, our very own auctioneer, Jean Simmons for adjudicating and Mark Wakelin and Jackie Jones for inspecting. These can be thankless tasks and we owe them our gratitude for their professionalism which means we can buy and sell our stock with confidence. We all know the highs and lows of keeping sheep and Samantha Matthews is no exception having had a lovely young ram injure himself at the beginning of the year and other minor events making her withdraw from some of the shows she had planned so it was wonderful to see her shearling ewe win supreme champion and go on to take top price in the sale. Well done Sam. Thank you to all those who came from near and far and good to see some of our new members attending.

By the time this Journal is printed, we will have had the Flock Competition. Thank you to Jean Simmons and Richard Chapman, our judges.

The Christmas lunch and prize giving is scheduled for 30th November and you should have received an invitation by email, please contact me if you would like to attend but haven’t seen the email. We will hold our regional AGM before the meal, this is your chance to have your say about events you would like to see run in Wales, all members are welcome.

The rams will have done their work and now we all “sit back” and dream of that show stopping lamb, delivered safely and growing well. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a fruitful New Year!

Southern Nov 2024

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SOUTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Peter Gorringe

Once again it has been a busy summer on the farm – lots of hay due to the very wet spring.

Showing in the region has seen the number of exhibitors increase with great attendance at the Kent County Show and a fantastic turnout for the greatly improved Edenbridge and Oxted Show with their new committee. The Jacob sheep entries even had an entire tent to themselves.

The Jacob sheep pens at Edenbnridge & Oxted Show

After the Kent County Show Southern Region member, Wendy Sharp, wrote about her experience at the show: “Only our second time at the Kent Show as exhibitors, and what a weekend it turned out to be. Furnished with a little more knowledge than last year and some keen helpers in the team we headed out with fourteen sheep. The problem was that we had expectations this year, and that usually leads to disappointment, but we were determined to have fun. Jacob judging was in the afternoon this year, so time for breakfast, and more washing and grooming before our turn in the ring. The whole team had a chance to show their favourite sheep on Friday in the breed classes as we had one or more in each class and then six young handlers for Saturday’s classes. We all worked together supporting each other, and helping others in and out of the ring, the camaraderie was amazing. Classes progressed quickly, Adrenalin flowed, with no time to think in between classes and there was strong competition too with a buzz in the sheep lines. Rosettes started to come in, Thirds, seconds and then a first for aged ewe, and then another for shearling ewe, how did that happen ? So we had two in the Jacob championship line up, and then the cherry on the cake, what a surprise, champion with Star, our shearling ewe. Wwho would have thought it. A few tears shed, and hugs exchanged and hands shaken. What a surprise, we were elated. All that work paid off. We had the privilege of being in the parade of champions in the main ring. The children showed their favourite sheep on Saturday, and were becoming more confident, but we have a way to go with some hot completion there, it was a pleasure to watch.
But we couldn’t have done it without our advisors in the Jacob Sheep Society, with special thanks to the Pope and Gorringe families, and all my other helpers and advisors, it means a lot.”

Wendy Sharp (right) with one of her helpers and the judge, Mike Bundy, at the Kent County Show

By the time you read this we will have had our annual open day at the Rare Breeds Trust Centre in Kent on the 19th October. A full report will be in the spring Journal.

Welcome to our new members in the Southern Region, Mr William Harrison

Miss Sandra Lowe, members no 05984, and I look forward to meeting you at one of our Southern region events.

I am available as you know for any questions regarding the breed and look forward to seeing everyone at future events.

I wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year with you all ready for lambing in 2025.

Simon Jones’ champion ram and reserve champion ewe at Romsey Show with the judge, Sue Taylor

Scottish Nov 2024

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SCOTTISH REGION

Regional Contact member – Melanie Harper

I started the last report by saying rams will be out and working, by the time you read this the rams will be finished for the year and hopefully all your ewes will be in lamb. My rams went out a week later this time and again most of the ewes will lamb within a week of each other; Big L will lead the way again, but my shearling ewes have been slower to mark and will lamb after the main ewes. Mineral drench and mineral buckets again the only thing I give my females before they meet the ram. Shall see what my scanner man sees, always a nervous time.

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Jack Elliott’s champion shearling ewe at Grantown Show with the judge, Scott Dalrymple

The Scottish sale was very successful. Many thanks to Kay Carpenter from the Central Region for accepting our invitation to judge, some huge classes for Kay to judge but on the day her champion came from the Trumper family, a very smart shearling ram which took her eye with another Welsh breeder taking the reserve place, a well grown ram lamb from the Hope Flock. The prices were up and down but that is the trend this year. It’s fantastic to see our sale growing and getting better and better each year. Our inspection team I am sure see a difference in the quality of sheep and there are so few now fail inspections, credit to our breeders and knowledge of the breed coming through. There will be a full report of the show and sale in this Journal. Thanks to our Scottish members who kindly sponsored the classes, and thanks to Crystalyx and Life-Guard for their generous gifts. We have secured another sponsor for our sale as Aytin Shears are keen to come on board so we look forward to seeing them in 2025. Thanks must also go to Robert Locker and Scott Dalrymple who are always at the end of a message if I need any assistance or information. We can confirm the 2025 judge will be Scott Dalrymple, I am waiting to hear a confirmed date for our sale but certain it will be start of August. I will keep everyone posted.

Our National Show 2025 should have been at The Border Union, Kelso, but this would clash with the Central Region sale at Worcester, so after a discussion with the Scottish committee we decided to approach Dalkeith Show, and as I write this I’m still waiting on confirmation that they are happy to accommodate our National Show. The general feeling is yes but we just need it confirmed. Once we have confirmation I will approach our chosen judge, the vote for the judge was also another committee choice.

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At Nairn Show Jennifer Milton’s ewe was champion and Ian Forsyth’s ewe lamb reserve. The judge was Ewen MacMillan

We held our AGM at Huntly Auction Mart, Sunday 8th September. We had a lengthy discussion about the long-awaited Scottish AGM Weekend where a fantastic Scottish welcome awaits you all. Whether you fly, drive, or go by train your journey north will be a stunning one. When I was there, I travelled further up the road to see the hotel, it looks beautiful and the staff very confident they can accommodate our needs. The northern Scottish members have organised an entertaining weekend full of sheep, trains, crafts, games, and whiskey along with a lot of laughter. Thanks to Barbara Webster who is always on hand to help me. You will find the booking forms in this Journal.

Looking ahead to the end of 2024/2025 the committee will head over the Border to visit a few northern flocks of Jacobs and we plan to visit some Dutch Spotted too (ex-Jacob breeder who has opted for black and white just minus the horns now), hopefully photos in the next journal.

We would like to have a flock competition autumn 2025 – we have yet to confirm that date, but judges have been approached and we will get details out to Scottish members as soon as I can confirm dates. We would like to have an open day/judge’s seminar too – watch out for more details.

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Robert Locker’s champion and reserve sheep at the Border Union Show

We have not forgotten about our new breed promotion stand but we are just trying to get the best pictures for this as the picture used will be blown up on the stand we need good quality photos that will withstand that editing. Watch this space.

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At Keith Show Ian Forsyth’s shearling ewe was champion and Allan Scott’s tup lamb reserve. The judge was Mike Munro.

On that note Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all, good luck in your lambing sheds and I cannot wait to see the first lamb pictures.

Many thanks to the Scottish Committee for their support over the last year without you we would not be surging ahead and pushing the breed on.

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Melanie Harper’s first prize Jacob pair at the Border Union Show

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At the Black Isle Show Linda McKendrick’s shearling ewe was champion and Barbara Webster’s tup lamb reserve. The judge was Jennifer Milton.

Northern Nov 2024

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NORTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Emma Chester

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Part of Andrew Barker’s Tancred flock in North Yorkshire

Since taking on the RCM role for the Northern area, I’m loving speaking to, connecting with and meeting members (including longstanding and new members) at various shows and events. After taking on the role, I’m keen to get specific events set up throughout out the year for JSS members. I wanted to take the time to put this out in the Journal to gauge what ideas, suggestions or recommendations individuals have on what they would like to see the Society offer. This could be things to improve shepherding skills, livestock husbandry, stock selection, nutrition, show preparation and show etiquette, or more focus on the Jacob fleece and raw wool. These are just some examples. I encourage members to contact me with your thoughts and what you’d like to see in the calendar going forward. This echoes a poll I did via social media on our Northern Facebook page (please follow if you don’t) but for any of those who have not seen it, this is an opportunity to extend this communication. Events we are looking to organise in 2025;

– Trimming demonstrations

– Flock open day

– Region flock competitions

– Show preparation and stock selection

– Annual regional meetings

– Wool/ fleece workshops

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The Knowles family’s ewe, champion at the Royal Lancashire Show

Please think outside the box too. If there is another area you’d like to focus on that hasn’t been thought about I’m keen to hear. Maybe even things around the mental health side of livestock husbandry, rearing and management, maybe a community focus at say lambing time, for example, when we can all feel the seasonal stresses and pressure. I look forward to hearing from you all. Please contact me via our email;  or any other medium, drop me a message.

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Emma Chester’s shearling ewe, champion at Ripley Show

By the this goes out, the Northern area will have had held their annual AGM where hopefully we can start the ball rolling on these ideas. Anyone who couldn’t make that, this is a time to add your input as I’m keen to hear from you all.

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Kevin Gaskell’s champion shearling ewe and the Haworth family’s reserve champion ewe at Gargrave Show with the judge, Richard Chapman

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George Fell’s champion ewe and Clive Richardson’s reserve champion ram at Cartmel Show with the judge, Stephen Harrison

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Howard Walsh’s granddaughters helping to get his sheep ready for showing at Wensleydale Show

Central Nov 2024

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CENTRAL REGION

Regional Contact Member – Kay Carpenter

A huge thank you to all the vendors, buyers and bidders at this year’s Worcester sale. There were sheep present to suit all requirements, from stores to flock animals to show winners. The old adage “good sheep sell well” was definitely true. Congratulations to Tom Lewis for achieving the top price of 1,100gns with his home bred ram lamb, Salopearl Charlie, and also to Ryan Edwards with his homebred shearling ram, Wharf Goldeneye, selling for 1,000gns. Both lots were used to the show ring and had successfully promoted the breed by competing and winning their classes around the country. Salopearl Charlie had won his class at the English National and was male champion at the Shropshire County Show, while Wharf Goldeneye had won his class at The Royal Highland and was reserve overall at The Great Yorkshire Show.

Other show winners from this year’s season came from Millvale flock breeders, Bob and Paula Bramley, who sold their shearling ewe for 650gns, and Lorna’s Hendeys’ & Jerry Strong’s Elmley ram lamb at 580gns. Other notable sales were Robert & Jean Prices’ sale champion ewe lamb at 1,000gns, Bertie Stanley’s male reserve champion shearling ram at 780gns, and the two four-horn ram lambs brought up to Worcester by our judge on the day, Wyn Harries, which sold at 700gns and 660gns.

Store lambs were sold at the beginning of the sale and were well received by multiple bidders.

Many thanks to our sponsors JG Animal Health, Pard House Jacobs & Shelsley Belted Galloways. Hillvalley Jacobs, Animac and Estate Country Feeds. Please contact me if you know anyone who would like to sponsor classes at next year’s sale which will be held on Saturday 26th July.

Breeding ewe assessment, stock judging and young handlers workshop:

Forty members gathered at Lickhill to take part in our September workshops. It is always good to meet and share ideas and this was no exception. Thanks go to Lesley Partridge for leading the ewe assessment discussion, to John Wescott of Farmers Fresh for leading the stock judging, and to the young handler team, Hayley and Abbie Higginson along with Jackie Jones, for judging and giving great feedback.

 

Prize winning young handlers in the stock judging class, judged by John Wescott, director of Farmers Fresh.

Left to right: George Sandall, Amber Garratt, George Lane , Olivia Chivers, Josh Chivers, and John Wescott.

Sheep penned for judging at the Lickhill workshops

 

Jackie Jones judging a young handler class

Autumn Open Day & AGM at Chatsworth:

The region’s autumn open day and AGM was held this year to the north of the region at the Chatsworth flock in Derbyshire. It was a very popular and successful event with members being given a tour of the flock by Izzy Cowan, the Jacob shepherdess at Chatsworth, against the stunning backdrop of the Chatsworth Estate. Ewe numbers have dwindled at Chatsworth in the last few years but now under Izzy’s new management that is set to change. She is keen to improve the flock and increase their profile. Izzy has recently bought in a new ram, Fettlemead Tucker, and started showing in the new Jacob classes at the local Bakewell Show for the first time this year.

Izzy Cowan, the Jacob shepherdess at Chatsworth, tells members something about the flock

Members looking around the livestock pens at the Chatsworth Farm

Fettlemead Tucker who won 2nd prize at Bakewell Show this year

The day included a judges’ seminar led by Clive Richardson and a very educational presentation of how to carry out your own faecal egg count (FEC) given by Terry and Berni Barker. This is possibly the simplest but most effective way to improve the health of your flock and could also be a financial saving too.

We also celebrated the Central region Young Shepherds of 2024. It’s wonderful to see so many young handlers in the region and know we are in safe hands moving forward.

Results for 2024:

Senior class (15-18 years)

1st Amber Garratt – overall Champion

2nd Oliver Garratt – overall Reserve Champion

3rd Isobel Cartwright

4th Olivia Chivers

5th Jack Parnell

Intermediate class (9-13 years)

1st Joshua Chivers

2nd George Lane

3rd Bertie Stanley

4th Charlotte Tatler

Junior class (8 years and under)

1st Iona Stanley

2nd Willow Bramley

3rd Charlie Parnell

Huge thanks to Hayley Higginson for collating the points accrued from showing over the last twelve months, for organising and providing prizes, and for being so supportive of our young shepherds. If you know a young handler and want more information about the Society please feel free to get in touch.

 

Hayley Higginson and Pat Black present the young handler prizes to Amber Garrett (left) and Iona Stanley (right)

Future Events:

Please get in touch if you would like to host an event for the central region at your holding. The usual timing for open days is one in the spring and one in the autumn. I’m happy to organise the day but require venues if any are available please.

I have just learnt that the English Winter Fair, usually held at Staffordshire County Showground mid-November, has been cancelled due to the incidence of Bluetongue. Whilst it is very unfortunate to not have the chance to show and try to repeat the great turnout of Jacobs we had there last year, it is the most sensible thing to do. I hope that this disease does not darken your door and you have a safe and prosperous lambing.

 

The final six pairs pulled forward in the Jacob class at the English Winter Fair in 2023

Members will be sorry to hear of the death of Richard Blacknell who, although not a member, accompanied his wife, Jean, while she was Field Officer to many shows and events. Our condolences to their family.

This just leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope to see members at our Christmas meal social in December, details yet to be confirmed, but please get in touch if you wish to join us. A Happy New Year and a successful lambing season.

Ryan Edwards’ champion aged ewe and Alan and Jane Nightingale’s reserve champion shearling ewe at Burwarton Show with the judge, Lyndon Trumper

At Moreton in Marsh Show Jerry Strong and Lorna Hendey’s ewe lamb was champion

David and Lesley Partridge’s ewe was reserve champion at Moreton in Marsh Show

Eastern Nov 2024

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EASTERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Tom Green

First of all, an apology to Sally Bothwell, Buchanan flock, who took reserve champion at Ashby with her ewe lamb, which I got wrong in my previous report.

The Eastern show season continued at Heckington and we were hugely thankful to Matt Kehoe for travelling from Ireland to judge. It was a great day for David and Charlie Coe’s Wneham flock who took the red rosette in every class, taking the champion and reserve interbreed with a Celtic Picasso sired shearling ewe, Matt found his reserve in their ewe lamb. Thank you to Tracey and Martin Coates and Joe Trofer for supporting the classes.

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David and Charlie Coe’s champion shearling ewe and reserve champion ewe lamb at Heckington Show with the judge, Matthew Kehoe.

Jacob classes returned to Leicestershire County Show on August Bank Holiday weekend, judged by local vet Chris Watton. Congratulations to the Cartwright family, Goldstone flock, who travelled from Shropshire to take champion and reserve with their shearling ewe and ewe lamb respectively. Thank you again to Tracey and Martin Coates and Joe Trofer for supporting the classes and it would be great to get more exhibitors here next year.

I would like to wish members who have purchased from the shows and sales good luck with their purchases. In particular I’d like to congratulate Martin Woodbridge and Jane Wallis who bought the top priced ram lamb, Salopearl Charlie, at Worcester for their Wadenhoe flock, Lisa Adams and Ben Coe who purchased the reserve champion Wharf Goldeneye to share between their Oakfields and Typhoon flocks, and Gilly Winchester who purchased the champion ewe from the Welsh Sale.

On to our own sale at Melton Mowbray, I will refer you all the full sale report written elsewhere but I would like to congratulate all exhibitors and purchasers. In particular Wyn, Siwan, Sara and Lois Harries on gaining champion and two of the top prices, Jane and Alan Nightingale who had the reserve champion. and finally Tracey and Martin Coates who had the reserve male champion and top priced male, and congratulations to them on purchasing the champion, and to Katherine Morley who purchased their ram lamb.

I would like to thank Wyn Harries and Clive Richardson for inspecting and Jean Simmons for her stewarding, writing for the inspectors and adjudicating and for them all giving up their long weekend as without their support the show and sale wouldn’t be possible. Thanks as well go John Dixon for judging. C:\Users\Clive\Downloads\Leicestershire County Show.jpg

James Cartwright with his champion shearling ewe and reserve champion ewe lamb at Leicestershire County Show

I would like to welcome our new member Gemma Knott on behalf of the Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Farm Estate in Essex. Their Rare Breeds Centre is open to the public if anyone is in the area.

By the time this is published I hope that a flock competition will have been arranged and held in the late autumn and either way we will be holding a winter get together soon.

In my own flock all ewes have now been tupped with only a handful of returns from the sponges and I look forward to the progeny from the seven tups (yes seven, my father despairs) I used this autumn at the end of January. It’s a quiet time for the flock with retained lambs being given a clear out drench for worms and just a couple of ram lambs of both breeds we keep pedigree to halter train. Ewes are away at grass now the rams are out and will be given energy and protein buckets for the last eight weeks of pregnancy with concentrate feed introduced around Christmas time.

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year and good luck at lambing time. I can be contacted in the meantime on or on 07800 817850.

 

Ireland Nov 2024

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IRELAND REGION REPORT

Regional Contact member – Matthew Kehoe

With the shows and sales behind us for another year we can now reflect on another successful year for the breed in Ireland with a new record breed price, a few interbreed reserve champion rosettes won and two successful official shows and sales done and dusted. At the time of writing preparations are underway for the 2024 regional AGM to be held at the Glenpark Estate, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. By the time this Journal reaches you I’m sure we will be looking back with fond memories of another fantastic regional AGM weekend and will have learned the results of the 2024 Ireland Region Flock Competition, kindly judged by James Leonard of the Grove flock in Wales. As I write, James is half-way through a four day expedition around the island in search of a worthy winner in both the small and large flock categories.

James Maybin’s champion ram and the Colhoun family’s reserve champion ewe at Limvady Show with the judge, Gary Freeburn

Full reports of both official sales are kindly penned by Howard Walsh, our press officer, in this edition so I won’t spoil your reading by repeating them but I would like to express my gratitude to our judges, inspection teams, photographers and my committee for your work on sale day. A special thank you to my mother, Naomi, for her tireless work behind the scenes in the lead up to sales. While Paul Colhoun and I take the lead in organising each sale we would be lost without the extra expertise and muscle required from you all to help pull it all together. Please find further details in Howard’s reports of both sales. This is not only an achievement for the individual flocks involved in the sales but also a reflection of how our breed is continuing to improve in both quality and demand.

The National Ploughing Championships, held in County Laois this year, saw Society members, both new and established, come together over the course of the three day event to man the Jacob Sheep Society stand in the National Sheep Breeders Association polytunnel. As always this is a challenging feat to build a stand and provide for the animals over the course of the event but I feel it is a worthwhile exercise to be a part of such a huge event. Thanks to the NSBA we have exposure to nearly a quarter of a million people over the course of the week alongside many of the other sheep breed societies in Ireland. This was our second year back at the NPC after a few years of an absence and plans are already underway for our 2025 stand – more sheep, more breed promotion material and some generous new sponsors have offered their support.

The annual Ireland Region show competition results are in. In the Northern Ireland section the Colhoun family’s Kingarrow flock took 1st place. The Colhouns consistently turned out a strong team of sheep, with their aged ewe and group of shearling ewes dominating the adult female classes throughout the season. Kingarrow Lily, a two year old ewe sired by Pard House Apache and out of a Beiliau ewe took home seven Jacob champion rosettes over the course of the season. Their team of three shearling ewes took turns in taking top honours in the shearling ewe classes with one of the shearlings being put forward for sale at the end of the season. Kingarrow Shazza went on to take champion at the Northern Ireland show and sale.   Adrian Hamilton’s Beltrim flock took 2nd place with his lambs consistently performing well for him in the show ring. Notable ram lambs included Beltrim Montana that made a strong start to the season but was later beaten by his comrade, Beltrim Moonlight, on his first outing at Omagh show where the animal went on to take home reserve champion Jacob. While Montana has been retained for breeding this year Moonlight went on to take home best male and top price male at the Northern Ireland show and sale weeks later for export to England.  A close 3rd place in the show competition was awarded to the Maybin family’s Tullymore flock in only their second year on the show scene in Northern Ireland. Making a strong start to the season at Balmoral with a 1st place rosette in the shearling ram class the father-son duo and their pair of shearling rams were consistent winners throughout the season with Tullymore Cain winning his class and selling at the Northern Ireland show and sale while Tullymore Dougal will be retained for future use. Taking home 4th place was David Postin’s Termeil flock led by his very smart homebred ram lamb, Broxi, that was consistently placed all season and has been retained for breeding this year. In 5th was the flock of Ann, Aimee & Sarah Moore who exhibited Dunbreen Tiger Lily all season, a fantastic four horn ewe lamb that went on to take home the reserve champion rosette at the Northern Ireland show and sale.

Matthew, Mark and Naomi Kehoe with their champion ewe at Tullow Show with the judge, Derek Brown

Joseph Hughes’ ram, Beltrim Karter, reserve champion at Clonmel Show

In the Southern Ireland section our own Macamore flock took home 1st place largely on the back of our two year old ewe, Macamore Black Beauty, and a homebred ewe lamb by Macamore Morgan. Black Beauty, sired by Pard House Apache and out of a Dunmor ewe, managed to go all season unbeaten collecting nine Jacob champion rosettes, one Any Other Breed champion rosette, and ywo reserve interbreed rosettes. A tight competition for 2nd place was won by the Harney family who made their presence known all season with a large team of sheep including a powerful Tally-Ho shearling ewe, Mary. It wouldn’t be unheard of to see a Greenstar sheep at both Limerick and Moate agricultural shows on the same day, and managing to win top awards – albeit with different sheep and handlers. Joseph Hughes took home 3rd place in the show competition with a strong entry of homebred ewe lambs throughout the season and his stock ram, Beltrim Karter, taking home a number of reserve champion rosettes. Bringing the heat to the ram lamb classes this year and coming in 4th place was the Fanning family, a relatively new team to the show circuit but definitely another one to watch. Their homebred ram lamb, Gorabeth Freddie, took home a number of 1st and 2nd places throughout the season and I look forward to seeing him out again as a shearling ram next year. 5th place was awarded to the Leck flock run by the Gogan family who consistently turned out a powerful aged ewe and some very smart ewe lambs in their team all season.

To all members I’d like to wish you a successful scanning result and an easy lambing season.

South West Nov 2024

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SOUTH WEST REGION

Regional Contact Member – Richard Fenwick

Julia Staughton with her prize winning ram lamb at Okehampton Show

It has been a quiet couple of months in the South West with members focussed on selecting rams for tupping and making sure their ewes are in the best condition they can be as well as selecting lambs to rake through a potential show sheep for next year.

On a personal note, we have relocated with our Camel Valley flock from Cornwall to Somerset, swapping a sheltered site with quick draining alluvial soil on the banks of the River Camel for a windy hillside with poor draining clay and a very different selection of grasses. It is already interesting to note the very different challenges and management strategies that come with a different environment. It makes one realise that although members have much in common, they all have to develop their own strategies for managing their sheep on the land they have.

Kerry Gaden’s champion and reserve champion sheep at Okehampton Show

In the South West, members use a variety of strategies to determine when their ewes will lamb in the spring. There have been quite a few informal discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies whether it involves sponging, using CIDRs or just letting nature take its course. We have opted for the latter approach but have found lambing to be very spread out, leading to problems with pre-lambing feeding, weaning and managing Heptavac injections.

Kayleigh Rennie’s champion shearling ewe and Riley Marsh’s reserve champion ewe lamb at Dorset County Show with the judge, Simon Jones

We are keen to avoid hormone based intervention and are keen to lamb at a time when spring grass is beginning to grow, but wanted to achieve a much reduced lambing season. Taking advice from other South West members, we have managed to greatly tighten up our tupping window which will reap benefits in the spring. As well as making sure our ram was in good condition, we employed two new approaches. The ewes had access to a Denis Brinicombe Super Tup Tubby and they were put onto fresh pasture about three weeks before being joined by the ram. It was with considerable satisfaction that nearly all the ewes were sporting distinctive raddle marks within a 7-day window. Hopefully lambing will be more straightforward next year and interrupted nights will be kept to a minimum.

South West members are keen to get together pre-Christmas and a suitable date will be circulated in due course.

At Woolsery Show Chris Slee’s ram was champion with Steph Jasper’s shearling ewe reserve

Northern Aug 2024

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NORTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Emma Chester

The Great Yorkshire Show may not have been blessed with good weather but the entries were excellent for judge, Lesley Partridge, and congratulations to Ridout and Higginson for their champion shearling ewe and Ryan Edwards for his reserve champion shearling ram. An excellent after-show party was organised by Wendy Atkinson, Freda Fozzard and Sheila Wood with further contributions from members.

Looking forward, the Skipton Show and Sale will be held at the end of August and I hope to seeing many of you there.

Having recently taken over as the new Regional Contact member for the Northern Region, I am keen to hear from you regarding yourself and your flock. Please get in touch through whichever medium you like (even if I know you, I’d still love to hear and share your stories). It would be great to have your ideas for events/collaboration in the Northern Region – what would you like to see? I am setting up a committee and am looking for a range of members to join me. You can contact me via: email, Facebook, WhatsApp or even a letter. My mobile number is 07702104033 or email

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John and Wendy Atkinson with their group of three at Otley Show

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Betty Palmer’s great-granddaughter, Esmae Buckle, reading the Jacob Journal

Eastern Aug 2024

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EASTERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Tom Green

With Summer here and the shows in full swing the Eastern region’s calendar of events kicked off with a well-attended Show Preparation Day at the Sandal family’s Glenbank flock, kindly sponsored by Showtime Supplies. George Sandall has kindly provided a few words on the day below so all I would like to add is a huge vote of thanks to George and Harry and of course Mum and Dad (Vicky and Richard) for having us and providing us with a superb barbecue lunch and to everyone who took the time to attend.

C:\Users\Clive\Downloads\Eastern Region Show Prep.jpg“After another wet week, the sun shone for our Eastern region show prep day (it truly was the most perfect weather. How we could have done with some more days like that this summer). We initially looked through the flock and discussed the characteristics to look for in choosing a show sheep. Kay Carpenter, Jean Simmons, Paula Bramley and David Tuffney kindly shared their knowledge and expertise in what to look for, followed by a trimming demonstration. Tom Green then demonstrated washing and carding. A BBQ lunch was enjoyed and the advice and conversations continued to flow through lunch. The afternoon involved ring craft with some useful tips and practical demonstrations. The day was very well attended by both well-known faces and also many new faces introduced to JSS showing and encouraged to enter the ring. Many thanks to all involved in a wonderful day! (Hear, hear George)”

Society president, Pat Black, presenting Vicky Sandall with a thank you gift at the Easter Region show preparation workshop

May saw some members compete in Any Other Breed classes at local shows. Gillian Christian took the reserve championship at Hadleigh Show beating Border Leicesters, Blue Faced Leicesters, Kerry Hills., and Lleyns in the process.

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Gillian Christian’s ewe lamb, reserve champion Any Other Short Wool Breed at Hadleigh Show

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Gillian Christian with her ewe, reserve champion at the Royal Norfolk Show

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David Tuffney’s champion aged ewe and Vicky Sandall’s reserve champion ewe lamb at Rutland show with the judge, Peter Gorringe

After losing our breed classes at the Suffolk Show I would like to thank the three exhibitors who turned out in the Other Native Breed classes to fly the Jacob flag, all of whom were rewarded with rosettes. Becky Fisher of the Church flock took 3rd place with her ram. Gillian Christian of the Briden flock took a 3rd place with her ram lamb and 4th with her ram and shearling ewe. Gilly Winchester of the Bacewell flock took a 4th with her ram lamb. Congratulations to the three of you and hopefully your support will lead to the reinstatement of breed classes next year.

It was ladies’ day at the first official show of the season at Rutland where Peter Gorringe of the Shutecombe flock found his champion in David and Jean Tuffney’s aged Kingsmore ewe with the Sandall family’s Glenbank ewe lamb in reserve. Congratulations to Sally Bothwell’s Buchanan ram lamb and Farmer Joe’s Fenland Shearling ewe who took first place in their respective classes. Farmer Joe was also well placed with his Fenland ram lamb in the Any Other Native breed class at the Lincolnshire Show.

Next up was The Royal Norfolk Show judged by Angela Gilbert. It was a fantastic show for the breed with Charlie and David Coe’s aged ram being tapped out in the breed classes before going on to stand reserve interbreed under the Society’s former official auctioneer Clive Roads of McCartneys, Worcester. This ram is Wneham Pict out of a homebred ewe and by Hyndshaw Borris and he was also breed champion at Heckington Show last year. In the breed classes Gillian Christian’s aged ewe was reserve overall while the Coe family took the reserve male and reserve female champions with a ram lambs and shearling ewe, while Becky Fisher took the red ribbon in the shearling ram class and Lisa Adams took the red rosette in the ewe lamb class. Many thanks also to the other exhibitors; Ben Coe, Debbie Gilks, Alan Smith and Gilly Winchester which culminated in an entry of over 30 Jacobs and a superb show of the breed.

Blaston Show held Jacob classes again this year and Jane Nightingale came over the Leicestershire border to win the championship with her shearling ewe, the Sandall family’s ewe lamb stood reserve. Finally Ashby Show was judged by John Dixon the weekend before the deadline for this article, and Jane Nightingale again took the championship with her shearling ram while Farmer Joe took reserve with his 4 horn ram lamb. Many Thanks to all the exhibitors from both the Eastern and Central Region for supporting the show.

Welcome to the new members in the region since the last Journal, Gilly Winchester – Bracewell Flock; Charlie and Emma Harrington – Buttercup Flock; Dawn and Norman Moore- Long Last flock; and Katherine Morley, I hope you all enjoy your time keeping Jacob sheep.

In my own flock the lambs have been gone through and the first fat lambs have been sold deadweight, weighing and grading well, however the £40 odd pound a lamb drop in price over the last month was less appreciated. Lambs for showing at Heckington have been selected and I will report on the regions final show of the season in the next issue.

Melton Mowbray Show and Sale is on the horizon over the 13th and 14th September. I have some lambs selected to go, I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. A social meal will be organised for the Friday evening with all welcome to attend. Before then my ewes will have been synchronised and tups will be in ready to start the cycle all over again for next year. Hopefully a flock assessment will take place within the region later in the autumn with a winter get together to announce the results.

In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me – the regional email address is or my number is 07800 817850.